Celebrate Be Cruelty Free Week with HSUS

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This week is Be Cruelty-Free Week, a campaign from the Humane Society of the United States. It’s a week to raise awareness about animal testing and celebrate products that are cruelty-free.

“Did you know that in laboratories around the country, thousands of animals are suffering and dying to test shampoo, mascara, and other cosmetics?” asks the HSUS. “Terrified mice, rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs have substances forced down their throat, dripped into their eyes, or smeared onto their skin before they are killed. It’s the ugly secret of the beauty industry that we’re determined to stop. Join our global Be Cruelty-Free campaign and help us end animal testing for cosmetics—forever.”

Here some actions you can take to celebrate compassionate cosmetics:

1. Support Legislature to End Cosmetics Testing on Animals. The HSUS encourages consumers to make a short and sweet phone call to your US representative in support of H.R. 4148, the Humane Cosmetics Act, which would prohibit animal testing in the United States.

2. Use Social Media to Raise Awareness. After you contact your representative (see #1), spread that information on social media, along with this infographic from the HSUS, which shares some startling facts about animal testing in the beauty industry.

3. Shop Cruelty-Free! As consumers, we vote with our dollar with every purchase we make, so make sure your money is going toward cruelty-free products. Check the kindness level of your next purchase by referring to the Leaping Bunny Shopping Guide. The Leaping Bunny logo assures you that what you’re buying has not been tested on animals. You can also download the Leaping Bunny app for your smartphone.

4. Get More Companies to Go Cruelty-Free. If you discover that one of your favorite brands is testing on animals, reach out to them and let them know that you want to see them adopt kinder practices. When companies see a demand for something, they’ll supply, so definitely encourage others to reach out as well! You can download a sample letter from the HSUS to get you started.

“Public engagement has been the way to success in many countries and will lead to more victories for the animals, adding to the list of countries prohibiting animal tested cosmetics,” says Pascaline Clerc, senior director of animal research issues for The HSUS. “As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the HSUS, we are eager to see millions of consumers across the world to help us put an end to animal testing and compel cosmetic companies to use humane cutting-edge technologies.”

If cruelty-free shopping is new to you, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised at the plethora of high-quality options out there! To get the full report on all the different products on the market, check out the blog, Vegan Beauty Review. You can also get a jump start on a brand new cruelty-free goodies stash with the Be Cruelty-Free Week Box from VeganCuts, an all-vegan online marketplace.